Account Executive - Higher Education
DDN· Remote·
$350k–$400k
DataDirect Networks is a global leader in AI and high-performance storage solutions; DDN empowers data-intensive, complex environments. We are seeking a strategic Account Executive to accelerate growth within our Higher Education vertical in the West Region.
In this role, you will cultivate strategic partnerships and hunt for new business to bring DDN’s industry-leading AI and storage platforms to the Higher Education sector. This position is highly active, requiring 70% travel to engage directly with customers and drive regional growth.
Key Responsibilities
Own and drive revenue growth within assigned Higher Education accounts and territory
Develop and execute strategic account plans targeting Higher Education customers
Identify, qualify, and close new business opportunities aligned with DDN’s AI and data platform solutions
Build strong relationships with key stakeholders including CIOs, CTOs, data leaders, and engineering teams
Partner with pre-sales engineers and solution architects to deliver tailored solutions that address customer challenges
Lead complex sales cycles from prospecting through negotiation and close
Collaborate cross-functionally with marketing, product, and customer success teams to ensure successful customer outcomes
Maintain accurate pipeline management and forecasting within CRM systems
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
10+ years of enterprise technology sales experience, preferably within storage, infrastructure, or data solutions
Experience selling into Higher Education verticals
Proven track record of meeting or exceeding quota in complex, solution-based sales environments
Strong understanding of enterprise IT, data infrastructure, or AI/ML ecosystems
Excellent communication, negotiation, and executive presentation skills
Ability to manage long sales cycles and multiple stakeholders
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with high-performance computing (HPC), AI infrastructure, or large-scale data environments
Existing relationships within US Higher Education accounts